This is a letter I wrote to the Portland Hotel Society (the folks who fund Unity Housing) to let them know how MUCH Unity has helped me in the last year and a half since I became a member. Its a lot to take in all at once, but I feel perfectly happy sharing it. +++++++++++++++++++++ To whom it may concern; My life has dramatically changed since I was hospitalised in April of 2012 when I descended into a violent (to myself) psychosis, a horrific experience that estranged me from friends and family, cost me my peace of mind and my home of 11 years. I was homeless for the first time in my life, but blessed enough to be able to live for six months with both my eldest aunt and youngest aunt. I was fortunate to have my mother come to visit me from where she lives out of province, and while I was still hospitalized at VGH, she was able to procure am advocate for me at the Kettle Society. It was here that she heard of Unity Housing, and with the aid of the housing representative there, I was able to get an interview and application with John Hatfull in July, 2012. Upon finally be accepted into Unity Housing’s home called The Palace, my long horrific nightmare finally came to an end. For the first time in six months I had a place to call my own, this time with understanding fellow sufferers of mental illness. I cannot stress enough how much that understanding and acceptance meant to me, and how much it improved my outlook on my life which in turn benefited my rather fragile physical, emotional and mental health. With Unity Housing’s help and support, plus the added benefit of the honorarium positions that I now proudly hold, I have never been so stable in my health and finances and hopeful for my future. Thanks to the stability of my home life within Unity, I am now able to have my cat, Magick, who means the world to me and takes away a lot of my emotional pain and self-loathing that is often brought on by Borderline Personality Disorder. Thanks to the Honorarium positions I am now able to leave the house several times a month and feel fulfilled while helping not only myself, but also my fellow mental health consumers who live as members of Unity. It is vitally important for you to know that the honorariums have helped me get financing for a Medtronic Insulin Pump, and also a personal computer that helps me pursue a potential career in writing and art. This has changed my life. My type 1 diabetes has been the bane of my existence for the over 21 years I have had it; and the insulin pump has improved my glycemic control so much that I now have hope of reversing my moderate diabetes complications. My eyes, the nerve damage in my legs and feet and the nerve damage in my autonomic system affecting my digestion are now beginning to improve, which in turn is helping me fight off the severe effects they have on my psychiatric conditions. My roommates have been instrumental in my rise in self-esteem, and though it is challenging at times in interpersonal conflicts, I have come to value the lessons learned (on both sides) and the ever improving quality of life in our home. By being involved as staff, I have become somewhat of an activist for mental health consumers- since the sad passing of Alex Verkade this summer; I have taken over the ‘Voices of Unity’, the newsletter for our society. I have begun to use my old desktop publishing skills, and refining my long unused writing abilities to encourage others in Unity to share their experiences, to reach out and show the world that we can contribute so much more to society than the current media reflects. By taking part in Unity’s management and support as a staff member, I feel ever hopeful that we can pass on these improvements for quality of life for our membership. As Resource person, I am able to research ways to bring in speakers or educators to help teach coping skills to enable our Membership to become more assertive and fulfilled in their lives, with an eye towards more independence that will in turn offer support to those who join us in their hours of need. Unity has helping me in so many ways, and continues to help me every day. I am forever thankful to be a part of this amazing housing society that is much more than just a place to live. It is my sincere hope that this letter will help you to see and understand how much Unity Housing and programs like it are so desperately needed, and how much it can affect even a single life. Thank you very much for your time and attention. Sincerely, Amy Hearn
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:47:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015